How to Hire a Process Server in California

Getting legal papers to individuals who aren’t eager to receive them is a challenge that has spawned an entire career path for some. 

Process servers deliver official court documents to their intended recipients according to jurisdictional regulations and provide proof of delivery. This process ensures compliance with legal procedures. While California lawyers are licensed by the state, professional process servers are more localized, performing based on county registration.

Let’s take a look at how to hire a process server in California to ensure timely, compliant service of process.

What Is a Process Server, and Why Do You Need One?

When a court of law or administrative court issues a ruling or communication, each person involved in the dispute or issue must be notified in a way that can be legally documented. This is referred to as process service or the service of process, and it must be carried out by a neutral third party (a process server). 

The process server is a critical part of the legal process, hand-delivering legal documents. The papers process servers hand out include: 

• Subpoenas
• Complaints
• Summonses
• Writs

A process server can theoretically be anyone 18 or older who fulfills the definition of a neutral third party, but registered process servers are used within the legal industry to ensure that all regulations and correct practices are followed to complete the process.¹ California has detailed requirements on how documents must be served, and using a professional ensures compliance with these laws.

When a person receives the papers, they’re considered officially served—but if the process isn’t handled in accordance with specific state regulations, it can derail legal matters and cause delays. In that way, incorrect process serving somewhat resembles the complications that arise if an individual wasn’t properly read the ‘Miranda warning.² Plus, it’s possible the server may need to appear in court to testify about how the documents were served.³ For all these reasons, firms need professional process servers.

Legal Requirements for California Process Servers 

California regulations governing process serving are defined under the Code of Civil Procedure (CCP), found in Civil Actions Part 2, Chapter 4 (Service of Summons) of Title 5. 

It includes five articles that cover¹:

• Where summons can be served
• Who can serve summons
• How summons can be served (in person or by mail, publication, posting, etc.)
• To whom summons can be served 
• How to provide proof of service

Everything from serving someone in a gated community to how to serve a minor is covered within this code chapter. However, in addition to state regulations, some counties may also publish rules that process servers must follow as well.

The need to comply with these guidelines makes it important to engage a registered professional to fulfill your service of process. Registration is handled at the county level for two-year terms and typically requires⁴:

• A registration form obtained from and signed before the County Clerk
• Provision of fingerprinting and photographs
• Local law enforcement, DOJ, and FBI background checks 
• A $2,000, two-year bond from an insurance or surety company 

In California, anyone who serves more than 10 legal documents per year must register in their county of business.⁵

Steps to Hiring a Reliable Process Server in California

Before you send someone out the door with important court documents, be sure they’re qualified to do the job:

• Verify their current registration with a California county.
• Ensure they have experience delivering the relevant type of legal documents.
• Confirm they can provide tracking and proof of delivery.

Process servers can be found through: 

• Reputable legal support service businesses
• County registries⁶
• National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS)⁷

The Benefits of Using a Professional Legal Support Service

Using a professional legal support service ensures legal compliance as well as timely, accurate service of process. If you partner with a full-service provider, they can deliver: 

• In-person and electronic filing across jurisdictions
• Servers who are licensed or registered according to jurisdictional requirements
• Multiple delivery attempts
• Alternative address lookup
• Status updates
• Proof of service, including photographic evidence

They should also be able to provide: 

• Surveillance
• Skip trace service
• Rush service
• Witness fee checks

U.S. Legal Support Simplifies Process Serving in California

Whether you need a process server in Los Angeles, the peaks of Sierra Nevada, throughout California — or anywhere else in the U.S.—we can help. 

Since 1996, U.S. Legal Support has served firms of all sizes with top-notch, comprehensive legal support. We offer licensed process-serving solutions nationwide, in every state, and in cities and counties of all sizes. From surveillance to skip tracing, we can provide full-service support for challenging circumstances.

You can also look to us for court reporting, real-time transcription, interpreting, records retrieval, organization and analysis, AI-powered medical records summarization, litigation consulting, trial support, and trial presentation and technology services. 

Reach out today to secure a process server or discuss how our other litigation support services can benefit your firm.

Sources: 

1. California Legislative Information. Code of Civil Procedure – CCP PART 2. OF CIVIL ACTIONS [307 – 1062.34] TITLE 5. JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS [410.10 – 418.11] CHAPTER 4. Service of Summons [413.10 – 417.40]. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&title=5.&part=2.&chapter=4. 
2. US Courts. Miranda Warning. https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/mirandawarningfinal.pdf
3. Superior Court of California, County of San Diego. Serving Documents. https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/sdcourt/generalinformation/servingdocuments 
4. California Association of Legal Support Professionals (CALSPro). Become a Server. https://calspro.org/education/become-a-server/ 
5. California Legislative Information. Business and Professions Code – BPC DIVISION 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS [18400 – 22949.92.2] CHAPTER 16. Process Servers [22350 – 22360]. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=22350.&lawCode=BPC 
6. Sacramento County. Process Server. https://ccr.saccounty.gov/Pages/ProcessServer.aspx 
7. National Association of Professional Process Servers. Hire A Process Server Anywhere In The U.S. https://napps.org/FindServer.aspx 

Julie Feller

Julie Feller is the Vice President of Marketing at U.S. Legal Support where she leads innovative marketing initiatives. With a proven track record in the legal industry, Juie previously served at Abacus Data Systems (now Caret Legal) where she played a pivotal role in providing cutting-edge technology platforms and services to legal professionals nationwide.